1
as in infectious
capable of being passed by physical contact from one person to another
a cold is often catching before the symptoms even begin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spreading
exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others
a catching smile that instantly puts patients at ease
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in grabbing
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
we tried to catch the kitten before she could sneak out the door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in getting
to become affected with (a disease or disorder)
you'll catch the flu for sure if you don't get a shot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stopping
to bring (something) to a standstill
I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in securing
to put securely in place or in a desired position
caught back her hair with a barrette
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in knowing
to have a clear idea of
I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in tricking
to cause to believe what is untrue
a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in encountering
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face
I'll catch you at the library tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in noticing
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
I looked out the window just in time to catch the neighbor's dog digging up my flower bed
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in chasing
to move fast enough to get even with
despite the suspect's considerable lead, the fleet-footed police officer was able to catch him and make an arrest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catching
Kansas City Star, 18 Mar. 2026
Teel and Edgar Quero had been in line to handle a bulk of the catching duties this season, with Lee another option.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Hang with locals at the iconic Cocoa Beach Pier, the perfect setting for catching waves or views of the launches.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catching
Adjective
He’s worn special catching gear to celebrate his heritage.
—Kansas City Star, 18 Mar. 2026
Teel and Edgar Quero had been in line to handle a bulk of the catching duties this season, with Lee another option.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
Robbins is the mother for two of the sisters, Madison Flynn (sophomore) and McKenzie Flynn (eighth grade), with Madison serving as the top pitcher and McKenzie catching for the junior varsity team.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Hang with locals at the iconic Cocoa Beach Pier, the perfect setting for catching waves or views of the launches.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching
Adjective
-
His infectious personality provides a crucial morale boost during the tense playoff stretch, with teammates emphasizing how much his off-court presence means to the team’s performance.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread easily through the air when an infectious person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, according to the Maryland Health Department.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Jaguars used their first pick of the NFL draft to land the blocking tight end Friday night, grabbing him in the second round with the 56th selection.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Seahawks stayed put yet again at the end of the second round, grabbing TCU safety Bud Clark with the 64th pick.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Double-down on getting voters to the polls.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Going to a zone defense slowed Minnesota down further in the fourth, but the Nuggets weren’t generating the shots they’re used to getting automatically.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Let’s imagine—in a case of truly terrible architectural planning—that there is only one extremely slow elevator, stopping at each floor and taking one minute per floor.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Schools brought in counselors for the victims’ young classmates and community leaders called for a citywide reckoning on stopping domestic violence.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In August last year, The Athletic revealed the new redevelopment proposals after the first plans, initiated by Villa’s then chief executive Christian Purslow in April 2022, were shelved despite securing planning permission in the December of that year.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
When the golf event was originally moved to Carlton Woods in 2023, a lake located between the ninth and 18th holes was dredged, cleaned out, and netting was even installed to keep animals, including alligators, out of it so the winner could jump in after securing victory.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Guardiola used a four-man ‘non-press’, where City’s forwards formed a line and waited for their opponents to find a pass, knowing that Arsenal’s centre-backs — and cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga — had a comparatively limited passing range.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Every now and again, Monica, as much savvy therapist as all-knowing seer, interrupts Jean’s first-person account to offer guidance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After tricking her way into her dream job, Liza discovers that disguising herself as a millennial and keeping her two lives separate is a job in and of itself.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Recall his central role in tricking immigrants in Texas to fly to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts with empty promises of jobs.—
Howard L. Simon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For this reason, the probability of encountering a descending elevator first is higher.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The wayward high-schoolers of the HBO series are now young adults, encountering the difficulties that come with entering the real world and trying to establish themselves.—
Molly Lambert,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catching. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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